COCOMI Denounces Alleged Drone Attack by Kuki Militants in Manipur as a “Grave War Crime”

Imphal: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has issued a strong condemnation of the alleged aerial bombing by Kuki militants in Koutruk village, Imphal West District, on September 1. The attack, reportedly carried out using drones and an ambulance as cover, has been labeled by COCOMI as a “grave war crime.”

In their September 2 statement, COCOMI criticized the militants for using an ambulance from Leimakhong area to disguise their assault as an emergency service operation. The statement described this act as a “blatant abuse of humanitarian services,” underscoring disturbing video evidence showing militants celebrating inside the ambulance post-attack.

COCOMI also accused the Kuki Inpi, a leading Kuki organization, of attempting to obscure the true nature of the attack through a misleading press release. The Kuki Inpi’s release was criticized for downplaying the severity of the attack, which involved the use of sophisticated drones—a detail contested by initial claims made by the Kuki Inpi.

The statement further accused the Kuki Inpi of disseminating false narratives, including misleading accounts of historical agreements like the Moirang Treaty of Brotherhood, as part of a broader propaganda effort.

The attack has intensified regional tensions, with growing demands for accountability and justice.